What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
pugnacious
Example
The pugnacious boxer won the match with his aggressive style. [pugnacious: adjective]
Example
The pugnacious dog growled and barked at anyone who came near its territory. [pugnacious: adjective]
Example
The political debate became pugnacious as each candidate attacked the other's policies. [pugnacious: adjective]
bellicose
Example
The bellicose dictator threatened to invade neighboring countries. [bellicose: adjective]
Example
The bellicose rhetoric of the speech incited violence among the crowd. [bellicose: adjective]
Example
The bellicose tone of the email made it clear that the sender was not interested in compromise. [bellicose: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Pugnacious is more commonly used than bellicose in everyday language. Pugnacious can be used in a variety of contexts, while bellicose is less common and may be considered more formal or literary.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between pugnacious and bellicose?
Both pugnacious and bellicose are more formal than casual and may be considered more appropriate for academic or literary writing than everyday conversation.
